Three gameweeks has finished now and Liverpool is one of the clubs that has got a good start to the season. Liverpool did not hesitate to get the players that they wanted and they were quick in getting their transfers done. Brendan Rodgers ended last season with a lot of pressure on him and he had to make sure that he bought players that can strengthen the team. The good start to the season will have taken some pressure off Rodgers. Now Liverpool will have to take that momentum forward and aim for a top 4 finish. Let us look at 5 factors that will determine Liverpool’s season ahead:-
P.S:- The list is not made in any particular order.
1. The consistency of the Defense:-
Rodgers admitted during the pre-season that he did not know who was going to be Skrtel’s CB partner this season. Lovren and Sakho was fighting for that spot. If a decision was made on the basis of last season’s performances and form it was definitely Sakho who was going to be selected, but Rodgers gave Lovren plenty of playing time during the pre-season and he was selected as the first choice CB alongside Skrtel in Liverpool’s first game of the season against Stoke.
The arrival of Nathaniel Clyne was definitely a big boost for Liverpool and its defense. Everyone knew how good he was and how much of an upgrade he is on Liverpool’s former Right Back, Glen Johnson. Joe Gomez is the surprise man in the Liverpool defense. He was expected to be loaned out as soon as he joined Liverpool, but he took his opportunity during the pre-season and impressed Rodgers in the Left Back position, which is not his preferred position. And if we watch his game for Liverpool at the Left Back position, it might be difficult for us to believe that he is an 18 year old playing out of position. Mignolet has also improved a lot and he is a lot better than what he was 12 months ago. This Liverpool defense has impressed and has been solid in the first three games and they managed to get three clean sheets. Liverpool will want this defense to keep their performances high and be consistent. If the Defense is strong the opponents won’t score and if they don’t concede they are not losing.